This article originally appeared in the July/August 2020 issue of Eventing USA magazine and has been updated to reflect the most recent version of the USEF COVID-19 Action Plan.
The USEA Eventing Licensed Officials Committee will be writing a series of articles relating to current rules from the USEF Rules For Eventing and how they are interpreted and implemented. The committee feels that transparency is important, and want to keep everyone current on the rules and how officials are expected/required to implement them.
It was very exciting to see horse trials running again! There was, however, some confusion due to the new USEF COVID-19 Action Plan, so here are some points of clarification:
Federal, state, and local regulations supersede USEF or organizers’ requirements EXCEPT when USEF or organizers’ requirements are more restrictive.
All individuals (participants, grooms, trainers, officials, staff, and volunteers) MUST stay at least six feet (about two arms lengths) from any other person. EXCEPTION: Social distancing does not apply to members of the same household, however, a mask must still be worn.
Masks or face coverings MUST be worn at all times by everyone on the competition grounds (even members of the same household). It is best to have the mask with you at all times and when you dismount you should make sure you put it on again as quickly as you can.
Masks are NOT required while riding in competition or warm-up.
Temperatures must be taken daily by the organizer for all staff, volunteers, service providers, and officials before entering grounds.
Some venues may take temperatures of anyone entering the show grounds, but it is the rider’s responsibility to monitor their own temperature, as well as their support staff.
Anyone with a temperature of 99.5 or higher may not enter the venue.
Please be careful when posting pictures on social media. Posted pictures may insinuate guidelines are not being adhered to due to the angle or distance from where the picture was taken. We need to work together to ensure that our events can continue and only post photos that show the protocols being followed.
Spectators are not permitted on competition grounds; spectators are the general public, fans, or any individuals who are not directly involved in the competition by way of being a participant, a member of competition staff, a service provider (e.g. media or photographer), volunteer, or other support personnel (farrier, veterinarian, etc.).
The USEF COVID-19 Action Plan requirements may change every Tuesday, so please check either the USEF or USEA websites for the latest updates. Organizers will also send out notifications to entered riders.
If you have recently had close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 you must quarantine until 14 days after your last exposure.
Thank you to everyone for your understanding and efforts to help keep everyone safe, while getting the eventing community back to competitions successfully!
Please send questions or other topics that you would like to see discussed to Nancy Knight at [email protected].
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This afternoon, USEA President Louise “Lou” Leslie welcomed U.S. Eventing Association (USEA) Board of Governors members, USEA staff, and USEA Annual Meeting & Convention attendees to the first of two Board meetings which will take place during this year’s Convention in St. Louis, Missouri, with the teaser that 2024 is going to be full of initiatives for more opportunities to access the eventing experience, some of which attendees might get first wind of during this year’s gathering. The 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention takes place Dec. 7-10 at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel.
Welcome to the Show Me state and to Area IV USEA members! The 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention kicks of tomorrow and features four full days of educational seminars, committee meetings, and social gatherings all with one aim—to bring the eventing community together to continue to improve upon and celebrate the sport that we all love. This year’s Convention takes place in St. Louis, Missouri, at the Marriott St. Louis Grand in downtown St. Louis from Dec. 7-10, and we have rounded up everything you need to know to make the most of your time in the heartland.
To accompany the 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, USEA Educational Partner STRIDER has prepared Digital Resources to Maximize Education & Access for the Eventing Community. In keeping with the USEA’s mission to expand the sport of eventing, this webinar outlines ways in which digital tools can be leveraged to increase access and education across equestrian opportunities. As part of STRIDER’s popular Professional Development Webinar Series, this presentation aims to provide a quick overview of best practices and digital tools used across the equestrian industry to boost growth.
Every horse who participated this year in the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) program has a story—a background that involves a breeder who labored over bloodlines, veterinary care, initial training, and so much more. This year’s highest-placing U.S.-bred horse in the 5-year-old division at the Dutta Corp./USEA Young Event Horse Championships, Arden Augustus, is no exception. His breeder and owner, Anita Antenucci of Arden Farms in Upperville, Virginia, started her program nine years ago and said that the Warmblood gelding was a more emotionally driven breeding for her than others due to his connections with Antenucci’s long-time friend Sharon White.